Columbia Parks and Rec unveils new poster during CoMoGives campaign

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Parks and Recreation along with 137 other nonprofits are raising money during the city's annual fundraiser.

The parks department is selling commemorative posters designed by Columbia artist David Spear as part of this year's CoMoGives campaign. Residents attended the campaign kickoff and poster unveiling event Tuesday at Walt's Bike Shop on Rogers Street.

Spear and Columbia Mayor Brian Treece attended the kickoff event. The posters will be on sale through Columbia parks and rec until the end of the year.

Parks Director Mike Griggs said the fundraiser bolsters money the department receives from the city.

"We're trying to get the department set up for the future," Griggs said.

Griggs said the money raised throughout ComoGives goes into a parks department endowment fund. The fund started three years ago has about $50,000 saved up, according to Griggs. The parks and rec goal for this year's fundraiser is $10,000.

Griggs said the endowment will be used for special park programs.

"This will allow us to keep things going that we may have to get rid of if our budget shrank," Griggs said.

The annual fundraiser, which started Sunday, has already raised over $100,000. According to the website, nearly 1,500 individual donations have been given.